If you're new to non-profit direct marketing, do not fear. We are here to help you through it. We all know that non-profit organizations rely heavily on direct marketing to reach potential donors and supporters. But for beginners, understanding the terminology and concepts can be like navigating a maze. This is your guide through the terms and concepts in non-profit direct marketing. Let's get started!
Campaigns are the overall fundraising adventure orchestrated by the non-profit organization. They have a start and end date and involve all sorts of fantastic channels and tactics to connect with potential donors. They can be a series of communications or a single communication.
Next, let's talk about appeals. An appeal in nonprofit marketing is like a supercharged message that inspires people to support a nonprofit's mission and goals. The goal is to get folks to take awesome actions, such as donating, volunteering, or even becoming superhero advocates for the cause. Appeals are incredible movements that want to get the word out, get people pumped, and inspire them to make things happen! It's all about making a difference and getting stuff done in the most fantastic way possible!
Next on our list is funds (they can all be called designations or accounts). Think of them as special treasure chests filled with money, set aside by non-profits for specific purposes or programs. Donations from supporters can be directed to these funds to make a real impact.
It's a bird; it's a plane; no it's a package! In non-profit direct marketing, a package refers to a snazzy direct mail piece or email communication sent to potential donors or advocates. It's like a gift box that includes an appeal, a donation form, and other materials to inspire donors to give.
Now, let's talk channels. This is how non-profits reach out to potential donors and supporters. Imagine direct mail, email, social media, phone calls, events, and more, all working together to spread the word and make a difference.
The drop date! This is a critical moment in non-profit marketing. It's when the targeted audience receives the message, and it's strategically planned to fit into the overall marketing plan. Think of it as the date when potential donors get their hands on the appeal and go, "Wow, I want to be a part of this!"
Now, let's crack the code! Source code (or mail code), to be precise. They're assigned to track and analyze the effectiveness of different marketing appeals. These codes, usually a mix of letters and numbers, are included in direct mail, email, and social media materials. Each organization has its own codebook, with different codes for different types of appeals.
Seeking out new allies to join your cause? Finder numbers are your ticket to adding new constituents to your database. They are numbers assigned to potential donors acquired from a purchased list or a list provided by enthusiastic volunteers or board members. They are given to those not currently existing in your database to make adding them easier.
Now, brace yourself for the Kill List or Nixie List. These are the "No Entry" signs of marketing campaigns. They're compiled of individuals, addresses, or emails that don't exist in the database and have opted out of receiving communications. Consider them off-limits for your acquisition efforts.
Time to embrace the universe! Non-profit jargon refers to the group of potential donors a non-profit organization targets with a specific campaign or appeal. This universe comprises awesome people with diverse demographic or behavioral factors. They're like stars in the night sky, waiting to be discovered.
Let's remember excludes. These organizations or people should not receive your marketing effort. We're talking about board members, major donors, or those who recently donated before your marketing drop date.
Segments—the marvelous way we group donors or supporters with similar characteristics or behaviors. It's like organizing a fancy party and assigning seating at specific tables based on demographics, giving history, or engagement level. Segments help you tailor your message and make each group feel special.
Feeling the RFM vibe? Recency, Frequency, and Monetary are the magic ingredients to create segments. Analyzing your donor database based on how recently they donated, how often they give, and how much they contribute gives you superpowers. You'll know who's engaged, who's loyal, and who enjoys making an impact!
Now that you're armed with this knowledge get ready to work your magic in direct marketing for non-profits! Use your creativity to create engaging campaigns, tailor your messages to different segments, and track your success with metrics. You've got this!